Apparatus for assembling anodes for electrolytic cells

ABSTRACT

Relates to an apparatus for securing threaded anode sections to a threaded anode in an electrolytic cell in which the anode clamping assembly is floatably mounted relatively to a supporting structure so that contact pressure between the anode section and an anode in the electrolytic cell will not exceed an amount sufficient to fracture the anodes.

United States Patent lnventor Stanley J. Gustetic Euclid, Ohio A ppl.No. 85 7,834

Filed Sept. 15, 1969 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee Eaton Yale & TowneInc.

Cleveland, Ohio APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING ANODES FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS 9Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 29/203 R Int. Cl i. H011- 33/00 Field of Search 29/203 R, 204

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,706,33l 4/1955 Bartelheimet al 29/203 2,855,239 10/1958 Nokleby et a] 29/203 X PrimaryExaminer-Granville Y Custer, Jr. Attorney-Teagno & Toddy INVENTORSTANLEY J GUSTET/C ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUL 6L9?! 34590.45?

sum 30F 3 INVENTOR 3 TA/VLEY J. GUSTET/C ATTY )RNEYS This inventionrelates to apparatus for assembling graphite or carbon anode sections tosimilar anodes in electrolytic cells for the production of light metals.

In the operation of such cells, the lower ends of the carbon or graphiteanodes are consumed and provision is made for lowering the anode througha suitable clamping mechanism in the cell cover as necessary.Periodically, a new anode section must be secured to the anode in thecell and this may be accomplished by providing the lower end of the newanode section with a coarse thread which is threaded into a coarsethreaded counterbore in the upper end of the anode already positioned inthe cell. The graphite or carbon from which the anodes are made arequite brittle and subject to being fractured rather easily. Thus,extreme care must be taken in threading a new anode section to theanodes in the cell.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatusfor handling new anode sections, axially aligning the sections withanodes in an electrolytic cell and threadedly securing the section tosuch anode without fracturing the anodes.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forassembling a threaded anode section to a threaded anode in anelectrolytic cell having means for floatably supporting the anodesection as well as the means for clamping and rotating the anode sectionso that the contact pressure between the two anodes is insufficient tofracture either anode.

The invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof willbe understood more fully when the following detailed description is readin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view illustratingthe apparatus of this invention installed in an electrolytic cellfacility.

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 ofFIG. 1, but with the anode clamps in retracted position.

FIG. 3 isa view similar to FIG. 2, butwith the anode clamps in closedposition.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the anode sectionmisaligned with an anode in an electrolytic cell.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the movable supporting plate.

As previously indicated, electrolytic cells for the manufacture of lightmetals are provided with a plurality of anodes 10 which are fixed to theelectrolytic cell cover 11 by means of conventional adjustable clampmeans 12 so that, as the lower end of the anodes 10 are consumed, theclamp 12 may be periodically loosened and the anode 10 lowered furtherinto the electrolytic cell.

When the upper end 13 of the anodes approaches the upper end of theclamp means 12, new anode section 14 is moved into vertical axialalignment with an anode 10. The anode section 14 has a threaded stud 15threadedly secured to a threaded counterbore 16. FIG. 5 is a partialsectional view of the threaded stud 15 which is shown threadedly securedto the threads 16 in the upper end of an anode l0 and threadedly securedto similar threads 17 in the lower end of the anode section 14. Theupper end of the anode sections 14 have a metal connector plate 18 whichis provided with a threaded stud 19 and threadedly secured to threads 20at the upper end of the anode section 14. The connector plate 18 isprovided with an axially projecting contacting member 21 having aradially extending flange 22 which is engaged by a tong mechanism 23.

The tong mechanism is supported by a hoist device 24 which may comprisea telescoping tubular hydraulically operated mast 25 attached to thetrolley 26 which is movable longitudinally of the traveling crane 27.The crane 27 is supported on wheeled trucks 28 and 29 at each end whichtravel along longitudinally extending rails 3'0 and 31 so that the hoistand tongs may be moved longitudinally of the electrolytic cell facility32. Since the trolley 26 may move longitudinally of the bridge crane 27,the hoist mechanism 24 may be positioned over any one anode in anyelectrolytic cell in the facility 32. A plurality of anode sections 14are stored in a suitable container on the crane 27 or at some otherlocation below the traveling crane 27 from which they are withdrawn andattached to an anode 10 as required.

The tong mechanism 23 comprises: a pair of pivotable tong links 33pivoted around pins 34 and having an L-shaped tong 35 at one endthereof. When the links 33 are retracted, the tongs 35 will engage theunderside of the flange 22 of the connector 21. The tong mechanismfurther includes a base member 36 for engaging the contact piece 21 ofthe connector 18. A link 37 is pivotably connected at 380 to the upperend of the tong link 33 and the upper end of each of the links 37 areconnected to an actuating rod 38. The rod 38 is mounted for slidingreciprocal movement within the tong actuating shaft 39 and the upper endof the rod 38 is actuated by the rotatable piston of ram 40. The ram 40is secured to the shaft 39 and suitably supplied with hydraulic fluidthrough hoses 41 via a nonrotating valve 42. With the tongs in theposition shown in FIG. 2 and the base36 bearing against the member 21,the ram 40 is actuated to move the rod 38 in a downward direction intothe position shown in FIG. 3 whereby the rod 38 causes the links 37 andtong links 33 to pivot into closed position as shown in FIG. 3 therebymoving the tongs 35 beneath the flange 22.

The base 43 of hoist 24 is provided with a supporting plate 44 having acylindrical collar 45 for supporting a spherical bearing 46. The bearing46 has an internal sleeve 47 in which the drive shaft 39 rotates. Theupper end of the sleeve 47 is provided with a threaded control member 48which is suitably fixed to the sleeve 47 and provided with internalthreads 49 meshing with external threads 50 on the shaft 39. The pitchof the threads 49 and 50 is identical to the pitch of the threads 17 and20 so that as the shaft 39 is rotated the shaft 39 together with thetong mechanism 23 are advanced axially by a distance per revolutionwhich is equal to the pitch of the threads on the anodes.

The shaft 39 is secured to a pinion gear 51 which slides on spline 52 atthe upper end 53 of the shaft 39 supported on bearings 54. Thus, theshaft 39 may slide relative to the gear 51 as it is being rotated by thegear 51.

The gear 51 is driven by a pinion gear 55 connected to the lower end ofshaft 56 driven by a suitable motor 57 supported on a mounting bracket58 which is axially aligned but radially offset to the shaft 39. It isthus seen that as the shaft 56 is rotated by motor 57, the shaft 39 isrotated via the gears 55 and 51 and the tongs are moved axially at arate controlled by the control member 48.

A plate 59 which is shown in plan view in FIG. 6 is provided with aplurality of holes 60 through which studs 61 extend. The plate 59, ofcourse, is welded or otherwise secured to the control member 48 and theentire weight of the tongs, sleeve 47, control member 48, shaft 39, thedrive means for the shaft 39, the rod 38, and the ram 40 and valve 42are supported by the plate 59. In turn, the plate 59 is supported on aplurality of springs 62, each of which surrounds one of a plurality thestuds 61 extending through holes 60 of plate 59 shown in FIG. 6. Thelower end of each of the studs 61 is fixed to a collar 63 which issecured to a member 64 bearing against the upper end 65 of the sphericalbearing 46. It is thus apparent that the plate 59 which supports theentire weight of the tong mechanism and its drive is floatably mountedrelative to the base 46.

A pin 66 depends from the housing 67 and extends through a hole 69 inthe plate 59. Any reaction torque effected by the operation of the motor57 is transmitted through the plate 59 via the pin 66. Moreover, the pin66 may move relatively to the plate 59 to sense relative movementbetween the supporting structure and the clamping or tong assembly 23.

Whenever an anode is connected to the clamping assembly or tongmechanism 23, the weight of the anode will compress the springs 62 intothe position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings thereby decreasing thedistance between the support 44 and the plate 59. Likewise, the pin 66will move downwardly and engage and close a limit switch 70. The circuitto the motor 57 may then be energized to rotate the shaft 39. Withtheapparatus in this condition should the anode section 14 be misalignedwith an anode 10 in the cell so that the threadedstud 15 engages the topof the anode as the tong rotating mechanism is actuated, the tongassembly as well as pin 66 will move upwardly and the limit switch 70will be opened to deenergize the motor 57 and stop rotation of the shaft39 and the anode section 14. It is noted that, since the entire weightof the tong mechanism 23 and its operating mechanisms, as well as thecathode, are floatably mounted on the support 44, very little contactpressure is required between a misaligned stud l4 and a cathode l tocause the pin 66 to move a sufficient distance to open the limit switch70. This limited contact pressure is so low as to be insufficient tocause fracture of the frangible carbon or graphite material from whichthe studs are made.

When the lower end of one of the anodes in the cell cover 11 is consumedto the extent that a new anode section 14 must be added, the craneoperator positions the tongs 23 over the connector 21 of a new anodewhich is stored in a suitable container on the crane 27 as previouslyexplained. Assuming the tongs are in the position shown in FIG. 2 theoperator lowers the hoist 24 until the base member 36 contacts theflange 22 of the connector. The operator then actuates valve 42 causingthe piston of the ram 40 to move downwardly to actuate the rod 38 in adownward direction into the position shown in FIG. 3 causing the links37 to pivot thereby moving the tongs 35 beneath the flange 22. The hoistis then actuated to raise the tongs and the attached new anode l4 andthe crane is moved to convey the new anode into a position above ananode 10 in the cell as shown in FIG. 1. The motor 57 is then energizedwhich rotates the sleeve 39 as well as the tong mechanism and theattached anode. Such rotation also causes the sleeve 39 and the attachedanode to move downwardly by the control member 48 and threads thethreaded stud at the lower end of the anode section 14 into the threadcounterbore 16 at the upper end of the anode 10.

Since the tong mechanism and the new anode are floatably mounted, and inthe event that the stud 15 is not properly aligned with the threadedcounterbore 16 as shown in FIG. 4, the tong assembly as well as pin 66will move upwardly a slight distance and the limit switch 70 will beopen to deenergize the motor 57 and stop rotation of the shaft 39 andthe anode section 14. The operator then reverses the motor 57 to causethe sleeve 47 to be retracted on the control member 48 and the crane ismoved to respot the new anode 14 above the threaded counterbore 16.

I now claim:

1. An apparatus for securing a threaded anode section to a threadedanode in an electrolytic cell comprising in combination;

a supporting structure,

overhead means for horizontally moving said supporting structurerelative to an electrolytic cell so that an anode section may be movedinto vertical alignment with an anode in said electrolytic cell,

means secured to said overhead means for raising and lowering saidsupporting structure relative to said overhead means to position thethreaded base of the anode section adjacent the upper end of said anodein said cell,

a clamping assembly including clamping means for engaging the upper endof an anode section, said assembly including power means for actuatingsaid clamping means, means for rotating said clamping means, threadedmeans for controlling axial movement of said clamping means while saidclamping means are rotated so as to axially move said clamping means ata rate equal to the pitch of the threads on said anodes, and means forfloatably mounting said clamping assembly on said supporting structurewhereby contact pressure between an anode section in said clampingassembly and an anode in the electrolytic cell will be reduced to anamount insufficient to fracture the anodes.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for floatablymounting said clamping assembly comprises spring means between saidclamping assembly and said supporting structure which are compressedwhen an anode is supported by said assembly.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said spring meansincludes a plurality of axially aligned springs.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said threaded means foraxially moving said clamping means comprises a nonrotatable threadedcontrol member, a threaded shaft for rotating said clamping means inthreaded relationship with said control member, the threads on saidshaft and control member being of the same pitch as the threads on theanode and anode section.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said shaft is driventhrough a gear which is slidably mounted on said shaft.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said gear is driven bypower means supported on said shaft.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said shaft is providedwith a longitudinal bore, an actuating rod extending through said boreand connected to said clamping means and a ram for actuating said rod.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having means for sensing relativemovement between the supporting structure and said clamping assembly dueto contact of an anode section in said assembly with an anode in saidcell.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 having means initiated by saidsensing means to stop rotation of said clamping means whenever saidrelative movement exceeds a predetermined amount.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for floatablymounting said clamping assembly comprises spring means between saidclamping assembly and said supporting structure which are compressedwhen an anode is supported by said assembly.
 3. An apparatus as claimedin claim 2 in which said spring means includes a plurality of axiallyaligned springs.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which saidthreaded means for axially moving said clamping means comprises anonrotatable threaded control member, a threaded shaft for rotating saidclamping means in threaded relationship with said control member, thethreads on said shaft and control member being of the same pitch as thethreads on the anode and anode section.
 5. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 4 in which said shaft is driven through a gear which is slidablymounted on said shaft.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in whichsaid gear is driven by power means supported on said shaft.
 7. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said shaft is provided with alongitudinal bore, an actuating rod extending through said bore andconnected to said clamping means and a ram for actuating said rod.
 8. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 having means for sensing relativemovement between the supporting structure and said clamping assembly dueto contact of an anode section in said assembly with an anode in saidcell.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 having means initiated bysaid sensing means to stop rotation of said clamping means whenever saidrelative movement exceeds a predetermined amount.